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Showing posts from August, 2025

The Blessing of Gathering Together

Acts 5:12 tells us that the believers were “ all together in Solomon’s Colonnade .” This wasn’t a casual, once-a-month type of meeting. It was a deep commitment to community and worship. We see this pattern throughout Acts—the early church gathered in homes, at the temple, and in public spaces for prayer, teaching, and fellowship (Acts 2:46).   In our modern culture, where schedules are crammed and isolation is on the rise, we can be tempted to treat gathering with God’s people as optional. But God designed the church to be a place of mutual encouragement, correction, and equipping. We were never meant to follow Christ alone. Meeting together is not just about what we receive—it’s also about what we give. Our words of encouragement, prayers, and acts of kindness strengthen others’ faith. When life gets difficult, it’s the relationships we’ve built in God’s house that hold us up. Gathering is not a duty to check off; it’s a lifeline God provides for our spiritual health and the adv...

Living in the Power of God's Miracles

In Acts 5:12, we see that “ many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles .” This was not a random display of power but a direct answer to the prayer they prayed in Acts 4:29-30, asking God to grant them boldness while He confirmed His Word with miraculous works. These miracles authenticated their authority and testified to the truth of the gospel.   Today, we may not see the same kind of signs and wonders, but the principle remains—God gives His people spiritual gifts meant to build up the church and shine light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16).  Sometimes we struggle with believing our small acts of obedience could have kingdom impact, but in God’s hands, even the simplest action can carry eternal weight. We are called to use our gifts—whether teaching, encouraging, serving, or showing mercy—in ways that draw people’s eyes to Jesus. The same God who healed the sick through the apostles still works powerfully through His people today...

Developing a Holy Fear of the Lord

The early church lived with “ great power ,” “ great grace ,” and “ great fear ” (Acts 4:33; 5:11). That last one—fear—is often misunderstood. The fear of the Lord is not about dread but about awe-filled respect. It means taking God seriously, especially in how we view evil.   To grow in integrity, we must first align our hearts with God’s heart. That means learning to hate what He hates and love what He loves. Not because we’re trying to earn His approval, but because we respect who He is.   We don't grow in holiness by accident. It takes deliberate pursuit and daily examination. God invites us into a life where we’re not constantly guessing whether we’re “good enough,” but walking in constant dependence on His Spirit to lead us in the way everlasting.   Scripture: Proverbs 8:13 - The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.   Proverbs 16:6 - By the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.     Application: Commit to walking in daily awe and reverence for who...

Living as Christ's Ambassador

Our lives speak. Every word, decision, and attitude reflects something about who we are and who we follow. Scripture says we are “ ambassadors for Christ ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). That means when people look at us, they are forming opinions about the God we serve.   Integrity isn’t just personal—it’s missional. Your life might be the only “Bible” someone ever reads. What message is it sending? Are your actions pointing others to Christ, or are they causing confusion?   It’s not about showing off—it’s about showing up. Showing up with grace, love, truth, and humility so that others might encounter Jesus through us.   Scripture: Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.   2 Corinthians 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.   Application: Think of one person ...

The Seriousness of Sin

Acts 5 is one of the starkest examples in Scripture of how seriously God views sin. Ananias and Sapphira didn’t just tell a small lie—they violated the sacred trust of the church community and tried to deceive God.   We live in a culture that often minimizes sin, treating it as a mistake rather than a spiritual offense. Yet God’s response reminds us: sin is still sin. Forgiveness is available, yes. But grace does not cancel out responsibility. When we take sin lightly, we begin to compromise our witness, influence, and intimacy with God. The early church was thriving—full of “ great power ” and “ great grace ” (Acts 4:33)—but sin threatened that movement.   God doesn’t want us walking on eggshells, but He does want us walking in repentance. There is freedom in acknowledging our failures and turning from them. It’s not about shame—it’s about restoration. God wants to cleanse us, not condemn us.   Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8 - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for wha...

Trusting God with Everything

Ananias and Sapphira’s story is not just about lying—it’s also about trust. They might have feared that if they gave everything, they would be left with nothing. In contrast, Barnabas gave freely, trusting God to provide. Many believers today face a similar tension: we say we trust God, but when it comes to truly surrendering—whether finances, relationships, time, or control—we hesitate.   God doesn’t demand blind leaps, but He does invite faithful surrender. When He calls us to give or go or change, it’s never without reason. He wants our hearts to be fully His. Partial trust leads to divided devotion, and divided devotion makes us spiritually stagnant. Faith often means choosing obedience even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. Ananias and Sapphira failed not because they lacked resources, but because they lacked trust in the God who provides.   Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways ackn...

The Danger of Pretending

One of the greatest spiritual dangers is the temptation to appear more devoted than we actually are.  In Acts 5:1-4, Ananias and Sapphira tried to present themselves as generous givers, pretending to give everything while secretly holding some back. The issue wasn’t the amount they gave—it was the deceit.   Pretending to have a deeper relationship with God than we actually do not only harms our integrity, but it also disrupts the unity of the body of Christ. As Christians, we often feel pressure to have it all together. We might speak or act in ways that make us appear spiritually strong, even when we're struggling. This isn't just about public image—it’s about honesty before God.   Why is this important? Because being real with God leads to freedom, transformation, and authentic relationships. What I say, what I do, and who I am should all line up. That’s the kind of disciple God uses.   Scripture: Proverbs 11:3 - The integrity of the upright will guide them, But ...

United on Mission

The unity of the early church wasn’t passive—it was purposeful. They weren’t just together socially; they were united around a shared mission: to make Jesus known. As they lived, gave, served, and encouraged, they were “all in” for the Kingdom.   In Acts 11, Barnabas could have taken credit for the revival in Antioch—but instead, he brought Paul in to help. He knew that teamwork produced better results. Their unity bore fruit: the church grew, the city was impacted, and believers were first called Christians there.   Later, when conflict arose over John Mark, Barnabas chose restoration over resentment. He saw value in people, not just performance. Even Paul eventually recognized Mark’s worth (2 Timothy 4:11). That’s what mission-focused unity looks like—it includes humility, forgiveness, and an eye on eternity. Unity isn’t uniformity. It means different people with different gifts and backgrounds working together because Jesus matters more than our differences. That’s what mak...